Fire Starter
 

Saw these at the NE Region Rendezvous last July. Absolutely amazing. Anybody try one?

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(lkiepe55m43t0v452t3jc045))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=1&subId=4&styleId=10 &partNum=FIRE-PISTON

RE: Fire Starter
 

For that price my simple flint and steel striker work just fine. I make my own char cloth out of old cleaning patches using my homemade cooker. Then all I need is some dried grass, shavings, and there you have an instant fire..

:D:D I was showing off to friends once who had saw the flint and steel strikers at my house. They wanted to see how fast I could start a fire with the flint and steel. And threw the hot char and such into a large glass ash try after I got it going.. don't ever do that. It heated that glass ash try so fast and hot that thing went.. POP! and split right down the middle.

RE: Fire Starter
 

Im making a fire piston now. Those things are awesome.

RE: Fire Starter
 

I like BIC lighters. :D

RE: Fire Starter
 

Do you wear your buckskins when you use that BIC there Underclocked? :D

RE: Fire Starter
 

I used to have flint and steel competion with a friend at a scout camp we worked at in Wildrose wi, I prefer the spinning ball of pine needles once char cloth is sparked. I am goin campin this weekend and will be startin every fire with flint and steel just for fun, I hope we dont get snow!
Nathan

RE: Fire Starter
 

I forgot to mention I just saw one of these used on a SUrvivorman episode. Les liked these little things and started a fire quite quickly ( creative editing!?) lol
nathan

RE: Fire Starter
 

Fire pistons work fine as long as you keep the gasket greased. I'd stick with flint and steel not knowing how a piston might work in wet weather. I know flint and steel are fine as long as you have dry tinder.

RE: Fire Starter
 

cayugad

water proof matches in a water proof container - but the BIC is a good alternative...

They made us quit carrying the BIC's when we were fighting forest fires - but I think Myth Busters proved the exploding BIC a myth...

RE: Fire Starter
 

Actually in my hunting sack, when I am in the woods I have three books of matches sealed in a vaccum sealer bag. No air, they can't burn. They are dry and there for an emergency. Also I take some of the #11 tins and make small candles out of them, then tape them shut, together. That goes in the same little spot with the matches. With that, I can light a #11 tin candle, make a fire from it, have light if I want, or do about anything.. should I ever have to stay over night in the woods. Believe me, I've done it, and those little candles are a life saver.

RE: Fire Starter
 

cayugad

Dang Dave! - that is a great idea

RE: Fire Starter
 

A candle is the best thing you can have. Depending on the candle they can burn for a long time. They help you build fires to.

Hey Cayugad, care to share your story about your night in the woods? I have stayed in a snow cave overnight and again in a small shelter I built.

RE: Fire Starter
 

Not much to tell. A few times I stayed out because I wanted to, and was well prepared. Once, because we were too far back in the federal looking for a friends wounded deer, so instead of walking out and then back in come morning, we decided to stay the night. I normally have a space blanket in my fanny pack, and a little something to drink and eat as well, so it was not all that bad. Also a GPS and compass will get me normally out if I really want to get out.

When we were kids we used to dig snow caves all the time. Mother was not real pleased with us wanting to stay in them over night, but my Dad was pretty easy going. He knew we'd come inside once we froze our you know whats off. Strange though, if the snow cave is small, you have a sleeping bag, and a candle in there, it is not all that bad sleeping in them.

My brother and his buddyon the other hand were out in the night, when it was so dark you could not see your hand in front of your face, no light, matches, blanket, nothing.. and then it started to rain. They were lucky they did not freeze to death. That's the trouble when you go in unprepared. They were back in the middle of no where miles from anythnig, and went off the road. Like fools they thought they could walk out. Well they got down the forest road, and realized it was too dark to even see and when they went back they learned the next morning, they walked right past their truck in the ditch. Talk about two cold, wet, misserable people.

RE: Fire Starter
 

In my hunting pack I keep a Magnisium block & striker for that time I'm too far in to wander out, makes a nice fire pretty quick too...
I do keep a Flint & steel handy for those times I want to teach the basics & survival training.

RE: Fire Starter
 

Quick little fire starter idea for your pack. Get a egg carton made of cardboard, Fill with 1/2 sawdust mixed with 1/2 wax. You can then cut them into individual pieces. they work great and will even light when wet. A bit off of the original subjetc, sorry.
Nathan

RE: Fire Starter
 

That's a cool idea.. should you melt the wax, mix in the sawdust, and then pour the egg carton.. or just pour the melted wax over the sawdust and let is soak in?

RE: Fire Starter
 

I always melt mine and premix before they go into the carton.I ruined one pan that way so now i use a pop can with the top cutoff. One of my buddies went to a thrift store and bought a pot for .50 and he uses it strictly for this purpose. I know this is not a "firestarter" but sure helps in the rain, and that seems to be the only time I get stranded! Or in a blizzard of course!
Nathan

RE: Fire Starter
 

Years ago I bought a neat little fire starter that I keep in my pack. It is a magnesium rod about .25" in diameter and 3" long with a flint rod attached along one side. It came with a piece of steel similar to a hack saw blade without teeth that can be used to strike the flint or to shave off slivers of magnesium to help start a fire when your kindling is damp. The magesium burns at something like 5000 degrees and will dry the kindling in a few seconds so you can get a fire going. The whole thing only weighs about 1 or 2 ounces and takes up very little room in my pack, about as much as a book of matches or less. It last for quite a while too since you only need to shave off a small amount of magnesium to get a fire going and then only when it's damp. I also carry a baggie of dryer lint to help get things going in a hurry. Strips of cedar bark rolled into a ball makes for a good medium to get a fire going in if its available in your area also.

RE: Fire Starter
 

Hey Dave,
Where did you get the fire "stick" i ve been lookin for one to lash to my knife sheath with my emergency paracord.
Nathan

RE: Fire Starter
 

I picked mine years agoat the TN state fair from the guy who made them. He also had some fancier ones make from antlers but I just bought the small simple one for its light weight and portablity. I think Walmart has something similar but haven't looked at it that close to confirm.

RE: Fire Starter
 

Thanks David, Ill check it out!

RE: Fire Starter
 

When i am long range hunting i carry a butane ligher andsome waterproof matches along with a couple fired 12 gauge paper shotgun shells.These paper shells are saturated with some flammable material that burns hot and is great for getting the kindling burning.

RE: Fire Starter
 

I also have one of those magnesium block things, but mine didn't come with a rod for sparks. I just use a sturdy pocketknife for that. It works wonderfully, especially with a bit of dryer lint. I always keep a bit in a plastic bag in my hunting pants. You never know when you'll need it.
-- B